Stirrup and adjustable suspension means therefor



July 9, 1963 3,096,552

STIRRUP AND ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION MEANS THEREFOR J. KREGER, JR

Filed March 3, 1961 John Kreger, Jr

INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,096,552 STIRRUP AND ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION MEANS THEREFOR John Kreger, Jr., 1040 Lewis, Sheridan, Wye. Filed Mar. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 93,052 4 Claims. (Cl. 24--166) This invention relates to a horses saddle having an improved stirrup leather for a foot stirrup and has to do with a construction which is unique in that quick-changeable fastening and adjusting means is provided for the overlapping strap-ends.

An object of the invention is to advance the art by offering saddle users a novel and practical strap-end connector and fastener which will better serve the purposes for which it is intended. Most sleeve and harness-type stirrup adjusters and buckles are noticeably wider than the stirrup leathers and because of such adaptations the straps are bunglesome and clumsy and buckled and protruding portions rub and irritate the horses hair, and even abrade and unduly wear adjacent portions of the cinch and weaken it; in fact, often cause it to wear through and break. In carrying out the present invention a quickchange connector and adjuster is employed. Briefly, it comprises a pair of component parts which are appreciably narrower than the stirrup straps with the result that the above mentioned objections are effectually overcome.

Another improvement has to do with a connector and adjuster which is such in construction that it lends itself to reliable use on the overlapping strap-ends or terminals of any commonly used stirrup leather. Usually, stirrup straps are 2 /2 to 3 inches wide and the component parts which are herein disclosed are proportioned accordingly. Good results are invariably achieved. Moreover, the instant invention is simple, strong and durable, is economical to manufacture and apply yet offers all the features and claimed advantages in respect to feasibility and practical accomplishment oifered in highly expensive, but more complicated, buckles and adjusters currently available on the market.

Another objective is to offer makers and users a readily separable and connectible strap-end connector and adjuster whose components or parts are simple in con-struction, neat in appearance, reliably safe and usable with the greatest of ease. These advantages can best be appreciated when one takes into account the fact that at rodeos, where several riders employ the same saddle, individual adjustments have to be quickly and reliably made. Time is of the essence. Performers are not permitted to hold up the proceedings. tion is sure to cope with and meet a long felt performers needs.

When transporting a saddle in a vehicle it is invariably hauled upside-down. Easily openable prior art gravity- .type buckles and fasteners are objectionable because they work loose. To overcome the foregoing objection the instant fastener and adjuster provides a positive jointing connection between the parts and is consequently a type of fastener which stays put regardless of how it is handled.

In addition to the prior art adaptations: generally touched upon above it might prove helpful to the reader to also have knowledge of the fact that a strap-end fastener and adjuster for stirrup leathers is revealed in a patent to one Floyd Nichols 2,718,682. In Nichols several component parts are utilized in carrying out principles of the invention there revealed. By comparison it will be at once observed that instead of relying upon a difficult-touse and time-consuming three part fastener as in Nichols, the fastener or connector and adjuster in the instant matter is made up of two simple and expedient component parts;

Hence, the herein disclosed inven-.

2 namely a spring steel or an equivalent cleat or plate which is attached at one end thereof to one strap end, the same having lateral pins or studs selectively engageable with holes provided therefor in the free end of the other strap. The second part comprises an equally simple rigid plate or clip which is bodily attachable and detachable, is oonnectible with circumferentially grooved headed ends of the studs and functions as a snap fastener. A round hole is provided at one end and a keyhole slot at the other end. These and other features and advantages of the instant invention over Nichols and others will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective and on a relatively small scale illustrating a conventional-type saddle, one stirrup, and the stirrup suspension leathers embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view with parts in section and elevation taken approximately on the plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a view in section and elevation showing the details of construction of the strap end connecting and adjusting means.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the suspension means, or strap leather as it is cal-led, and which shows the improvements with requisite clarity with'the strapends separated and the component parts (fixed cleat and attachable and detachable retainer clip) readied to make an adjustment.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the manner in which lengthwise edge portions the overlapped strap ends are caught hold of and squeezed in one hand to facilitate the step of making a quick-change adjustment.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view the purpose of which is to show how the keyhole slot cooperates with a noncircular shank on the stud in full lines in which position (as distinguished from the normally locked dotted line position) it may be visualized as being slid from left to right prior to being completely removed (-FIG. 4) from the stud and preparatory to freeing both studs and making a required strap-end adjustment.

FIG. 7 is an exaggerated fragmentary view taken on the plane of the line 77 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the views of the drawing the saddle is denoted in FIGS. 1 and .2 by the numeral 8. To avoid complication, as shown in FIG. 1, the cinch is omitted and only the cinch straps 10 illustrated. A single foot stirrup is denoted at .12. The stirrup leather can best be seen in FIG. 4 wherein it will be observed that this means, as an entity, is denoted by the numeral -14. The median wide strap component, which is the conventional type, is here denoted as a fender 16. A first relatively narrow strap 18 is connected at a lower end to the lower "end portion 20 of the tender and is provided with an appropriate liner 22. This lined-strap is appropriately connected as at 24- to the stirrup as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The terminal or free end portion of strap 18 is conveniently designated at 30. It is to this strap end that one of the component parts of the novel fastener, connector and adjuster is connected. This particular part comprises a spring steel plate or cleat 32 of general rectangular form which has one end portion 34 superimposed on the strap end 30 and secured thereto by rivets or equivalent fasteners 36. A spiingy end portion 38 of the cleat projects beyond the terminal 30 and it is provided with laterally projecting upper and lower spaced parallel suitably aligned studs 40 and 42. These studs are spaced apart a predetermined distance and are adapted to pass selectively through holes provided therefor as at 44 in the free end portion 46 of a correspondingly narrow second strap 48 connected to the upper end 50 of the fender. The median portion 52 of this strap is linked or otherwise suitably connected with the saddle and suspended in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. It should be understood in this connection that the stirrup suspension means or stirrup leather 14 is not new. The improvement resides in the combination with the components thereof of the novel connector and adjusting means comprising as already stated the cleat 32. With further reference to this cleat it will be seen that the free end portions of the studs 40 and 42 are circumferentially grooved and define assembling and retaining heads 54 and 56 for the bodily attachable and detachable keeper shown at the right in FIG. 4. This keeper comprises a rigid plate which is differentiated from the plate or cleat 32 by calling it a clip 58. An ovate hole 60 is provided in the lower end of the clip to snap over the head 56 as shown in FIG. 3. An elongated or keyhole slot 62 is provided at the upper end of the clip to engage over the head 54. It will be observed in this connection that the slot 62 is positioned centrally between the longitudinal edges of the clip and is parallel therewith.

In practice the desired holes 44 are selected, depend ing on the needed adjustment of the stirrup and the strap ends 30 and 46 are overlapped, whereupon the headed studs 40 and 42 are passed through the selected holes 44. This permits raising or lowering of the stirrup '12. Once this temporary adjustment is made the final adjustment is retained by applying the keeper or clip 58. The enlarged end of the keyhole slot 62 is lined up with the head 54 for example and then the clip is fitted over the head and the clip is then slid from right to left until the headed end 54 is lodged in the rotatable end portion of the slot. Then, the clip is swung down 90 degrees as shown :dotted in FIG. 6. The hole 60 is then registrable with the head 56 and it is snapped into place in the manner shown. By grasping the overlapped straps in the manner illustrated in FIG. 5 and compressing the lengthwise edges of the straps together the strap surfaces are oonvexed or bulged in a manner to free the clip and to facilitate accomplishing a quick change adjustment.

It will be clear from the disclosure that the needed spring action is embodied in the cleat 32. Therefore in actual practice this cleat is made of prerequisite spring steel. On the other hand, the part which is identified by the numeral 58 functions as the aforementioned clip or keeper. It is rigid and keeps its length whereas the cleat 32 is alive and made of suitable grade or kind of springy steel and the pressure applied allows for the variance in the predetermined distance between the two studs 40 and 42. This construction and arrangement provides the unique snap-on quick change adjustment.

With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7 the purpose of these two figures is to bring out a significant feature. To begin with it would be noticed that the groove defining the headed end 54 of the stud 40 has diametrically 0pposite fiat portions defining a reduced neck. This neck 53 is of the non-circular cross-section seen in FIG. 7. The cross-section corresponds with the width of the narrow portion of the keyhole slot 62 in the clip or keeper 58. Also, the hole 60 which engages over the head 56 is slightly ovate and of a size slightly greater than the size of the head 56. It will be evident therefore that the top stud 40 has flattened sides normal to the lengthwise dimension of the clip coacting with the narrow part of the keyhole slot so that after the clip 58 is snapped off the lower stud 42, that is the headed end 56, it must then be bodily turned from the dotted line position to a right angled position (see FIG. 6) before it can be removed from said stud 40. This construction and arrangement insures and affords an added safety factor in that even though the lower stud may be accidentally snapped off,

the keeper will not come off the top stud. However, it can be intentionally removed by adjusting it to the full line right angle in FIG. 6 and shoving it from left to right as indicated by the arrow. Then, when the clip is put back the larger end of the keyhole slot is fitted over the headed end 54 of the stud 40 and then slid from right to left and allowed to turn 90 degrees and then drop down to the dotted line position to be snapped into place.

It will be noted that both straps 18 and 52 are approximately the same in width and are in fact of a width greater than the width of said cleat and clip. To remove the keeper clip all that is necessary for one to do is to squeeze the projecting edges together and compress or bulge the leather so that the then existing convex portion of the leather exerts pressure (FIG. 5) against the releasable end of the clip and it pops off the coacting head of the stud 42. However, the keeper can also be removed by inserting a flat blunt object (not shown) such as a quarter or half-dollar and then prying up adjacent the stud 42. Experience has repeatedly shown that merely squeezing and convexing the leather toward the keeper as illustrated in FIG. 5 is the best mode of releasing the clip in order to take care of the necessary adjustments.

It will be noted that the second-named strap 48 has an end portion 46 superimposed upon and completely covering the outer surface of the cleat 32, and that one end portion 34 of the cleat is interposed or sandwiched between opposed cooperating surfaces of the two straps. The lengthwise keyhole slot 62 is located at one end portion of the clip 58 between the longitudinal edges thereof and has an enlarged end portion. The width of the slot is less than that of the head 54 and the width of the enlarged end portion of the slot is substantially the same as the head 54 and can be disengaged therefrom and subsequently replaced thereon as already explained. Also, one end (the upper end in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) of the slot is rotatably mounted on the grooved head 54. Further, the circular hole 60 is spaced from the adjacent end of the keyhole slot 60 a distance which is such as to locate the stud 40 at the rotatable end of the straight narrow portion of said slot as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the clip 58 is readily attachable and detachable and capable of being maintained in place solely by the studs 40 and 42 (FIG. 5). In fact, it stays put on the specially constructed neck 53 of the top stud 40 until it is intentionally swung around by hand for removal in the manner already described.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A stirrup leather comprising, in combination, a first strap having a free terminal end portion, a cleat having one end portion thereof superimposed upon and fixed to an outwardly facing surface of said first strap, the other end portion of said cleat projecting beyond said terminal end portion and being provided with a pair of laterally outwardly projecting studs, each stud having an outer end circumferentially grooved and providing a head, said studs being longitudinally spaced apart a predetermined distance, a second strap complemental to and alignable with said first strap and having a central row of longitudinally spaced holes for selective connection with and retention by said studs, said second strap having an end portion thereof superimposed upon said cleat, said one end portion of said cleat being interposed between opposed cooperating surfaces of said straps, said studs passing removably through and outwardly beyond a selected pair of the holes in said second strap, and a rigid clip complemental to said cleat and studs and constituting a keeper, said clip being superimposed lengthwise upon an outwardly disposed surface of said second strap and being provided with a keyhole slot adjacent one end embodying a straight narrow portion and an enlarged end portion, the width of said straight portion being less than that of said heads, the width of said enlarged end portion being substantially the same as that of said heads, one end of said slot slidingly and rotatably mounting the grooved headed end of one of said studs, said clip being also provided with a generally circular hole aligned with and having releasable snap-on engagement with the grooved headed end of the other one of said studs, said circular hole being spaced from said keyhole slot a distance such as to locate said one stud along a portion of said slot remote from said enlarged end portion when said other stud is in said hole, whereby said clip is maintained in position solely by said studs, said second strap being of a width appreciably greater than the width of said cleat and also said clip and having its lengthwise marginal edges projecting beyond the lengthwise edges of the cleat and functioning, when said edges are grasped and squeezed with one hand to 'forcibly bend said edges toward each other to convexly bulge the median lengthwise portion of said strap against a surface of said clip, to exert clip-freeing pressure against said clip whereby to release said hole-equipped end of said clip from engagement with the hole-engaging stud.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, and wherein the stud-equipped projecting end portion of said cleat is or" a length approximately the same as the overall length of said clip, said keyhole slot being located centrally between the lengthwise edges of said clip and being parallel thereto, and the keyhole slot equipped end of said clip being bodily applicable to and removable from said one stud.

3. The structure according to claim 1 and wherein said keyhole slot includes an additional enlarged portion, the grooved portion of said one stud being provided with diametrically opposite flattened sides which are parallel to each other and are normal to the lengthwise dimension of said clip and which function to define a noncircular neck, the cross-section across said flattened sides being slightly less than the width or the straight narrow portion of said keyhole slot and the cross-section which is normal to said first-mentioned cross-section being slightly greater than the width of said straight narrow portion but less than the distance across said additional enlarged portion of said slot whereby the aforementioned sliding action of the clip relative to said one stud may occur only when the clip is in a position at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of said second strap and whereby said clip is rotatable about said one stud when said stud is in said additional enlarged portion 02E said slot.

4. The structure according to claim 3, and wherein the distance across said additional enlarged portion of said keyhole slot is les than that of the head of said one stud.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 740,888 May Oct. 6, 1903 829,789 Jones Aug. 28, 1906 918,212. Salatin'ow Apr. 13, 1909 1,029,834 Utech June '18, 1912 

1. A STIRRUP COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A FIRST STRAP HAVING A FREE TERMINAL END PORTION, A CLEAT HAVING ONE END PORTION THEREOF SUPERIMPOSED UPON AND FIXED TO AN OUTWARDLY FACING SURFACE OF SAID FIRST STRAP, THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID CLEAT PROJECTING BEYOND SAID TERMINAL END PORTION AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A PAIR OF LATERALLY OUTWARDLY PROJECTING STUDS, EACH STUD HAVING AN OUTER END CIRCUMFERENTIALLY GROOVED AND PROVIDING A HEAD, SAID STUDS BEING LONGITUDINALLY SPACED APART A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE A SECOND STRAP COMPLEMENTAL TO AND ALIGNABLE WITH SAID FIRST STRAP AND HAVING A CENTRAL ROW OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED HOLES FOR SELECTIVE CONNECTION WITH AND RETENTION BY SAID STUDS, SAID SECOND STRAP HAVING AN END PORTION THEREOF SUPERIMPOSED UPON SAID CLEAT, SAID ONE END PORTION OF SAID CLEAT BEING INTERPOSED BETWEEN OPPOSED COOPERATING SURFACES OF SAID STRAPS, SAID STUDS PASSING REMOVABLY THROUGH AND OUTWARDLY BEYOND A SELECTED PAIR OF THE HOLES IN SAID SECOND STRAP, AND A RIGID CLIP COMPLEMENTAL TO SAID CLEAT AND STUDS AND CONSTITUTING A KEEPER, SAID CLIP BEING SUPERIMPOSED LENGTHWISE UPON AN OUTWARDLY DISPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SECOND STRAP AND BEING PROVIDED WITH A KEYHOLE SLOT ADJACENT ONE END EMBODYING A STRAIGHT NARROW PORTION AND AN ENLARGED END PORTION, THE WIDTH OF SAID STRAIGHT PORTION BEING LESS THAN THAT OF SAID HEADS, THE WIDTH OF SAID ENLARGED END PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT OF SAID HEADS, ONE END OF SAID SLOT SLIDINGLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTING THE GROOVED HEADED END OF ONE OF SAID STUDS, SAID CLIP BEING ALSO PROVIDED WITH A GENERALLY CIRCULAR HOLE ALIGNED WITH AND HAVING RELEASABLE SNAP-ON ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GROOVED HEADED END OF THE OTHER ONE OF SAID STUDS, SAID CIRCULAR HOLE BEING SPACED FROM SAID KEYHOLE SLOT AS DISTANCE SUCH AS TO LOCATE SAID ONE STUD ALONG A PORTION OF SAID SLOT REMOTE FROM SAID ENLARGED END PORTION WHEN SAID OTHER STUD IS IN SAID HOLE, WHEREBY SAID CLIP IS MAINTAINED IN POSITION SOLELY BY SAID STUDS, SAID SECOND STRAP BEING OF A WIDTH APPRECIABLY GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF SAID CLEAT AND ALSO SAID CLIP AND HAVING ITS LENGTHWISE MARGINAL EDGES PROJECTING BEYOND THE LENGTHWISE EDGES OF THE CLEAT AND FUNCTIONING, WHEN SAID EDGES ARE GRASPED AND SQUEEZED WITH ONE HAND TO FORCIBLY BEND SAID EDGES TOWARD EACH OTHER TO CONVEXLY BULGE THE MEDIAN LENGTHWISE PORTION OF SAID STRAP AGAINST A SURFACE OF SAID CLIP, TO EXERT CLIP-FREEING PRESSURE AGINST SAID CLIP WHEREBY TO RELEASE SAID HOLE-EQUIPPED END OF SAID CLIP FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HOLE-ENGAGING STUD. 